38 to 40 yaks killed in avalanche in Kinnuar district of Himachal Pradesh

As many as 38 to 40 yaks were killed as an avalanche hit them in Kanda valley of Sangla area in Kinnuar district yesterday, moreover very heavy snowfall had caused massive loss of life and property in the snowbound district as life is out of gear and could not be restored so far, concerned district administrative confirmed.

Deputy Commissioner of Kinnuar J.M. Pathania told that a herd of yak was hit by a heavy avalanche in Kanda valley of Sangla in Kinnuar district reportedly killed as they got trapped inside the rolling avalanche and were buried in snow and debris.

It is worthwhile to mention here that Sangla valley had unprecedented snowfall on January 18 and 19 after forcing district administration to sound high alert from avalanches in the regions. As many as 15 houses have been destroyed in different avalanches in the district and life toll have went up to 7, moreover such avalanches also destroyed massive toll of apple orchards in the district. A widow Bhagti Negi rendering livelihood on apple orchard and resident of Khanash area near Sahran, lamented that she had 150 high quality apple trees which are completely destroyed in the snowfall forcing her to come on the road as she was seeking assistance from the district administration. Similarly more than thousands of such families have been affected due to snow vagaries in the district who were depending on the vocation of horticulture for their sustenance.

Most of the roads were snowbound in the district. Mr. Pathania confirmed that efforts were being done to throw upon snowbound roads while district administration had cleared the national highway from Rampur to Karchham on war footing as HRTC buses likely to be deploy on this road from today onwards but it would take couple of days to resume traffic up to Reckong-Peo, he said. He added that heavy rock is on the road at Ralley point between Rampur and Reckong Peo which would take two to three days to clear it however district administration deployed heavy machinery from the both sides to clear the snow from the road on the priority, he added.